Three (2002)

"Three (2002)" is a chilling anthology film featuring three distinct horror segments from South Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong, each exploring themes of memory, loss, and the supernatural. "Memories" (Korea) centers on a woman suffering from amnesia and a husband haunted by the mystery of his wife's disappearance, culminating in a disturbing discovery. "The Wheel" (Thailand) unleashes a wave of terror through cursed puppets, inflicting suffering and possession upon a family. Finally, "Going Home" (Hong Kong) presents a disturbing tale of a father's desperate search for his son intertwined with a grieving widower's macabre reality. Together, these interconnected narratives create a tapestry of Asian horror that is deeply unsettling and emotionally resonant. This inclusion of "Three (2002)" on a list of "Best Kim Jee-woon Movies" might initially seem odd, considering he only directed the "Memories" segment. However, this segment showcases his distinctive style early in his career. "Memories" is lauded for its masterful blend of psychological suspense and visceral horror, evident in the lingering shots of empty spaces and the shocking climax. It offers a glimpse into the director's developing talent for crafting visually arresting and thematically rich narratives, with a focus on exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche and the fragility of memory - themes that would become hallmarks of his later, more celebrated works. It's a valuable piece in understanding the evolution of Kim Jee-woon as a master of genre filmmaking.